address some feedback from @bmorelli's first round of review

Author: colleenmcginnis

docs/_snippets/applies_to-key.md

@@ -1,22 +1,20 @@
 `applies_to` accepts the following keys in this structure:
 
+* `serverless`: Applies to [Elastic Cloud Serverless](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/elastic-cloud/serverless).
+  * `security`: Applies to Serverless [security projects](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/security/get-started/create-security-project).
+  * `elasticsearch`: Applies to Serverless [search projects](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/search/serverless-elasticsearch-get-started).
+  * `observability`: Applies to Serverless [observability projects](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/observability/get-started).
 * `stack`: Applies to the [Elastic Stack](https://www.elastic.co/docs/get-started/the-stack) including any Elastic Stack components.
 * `deployment`: Applies to some deployment type(s).
-  * `eck`: Applies to [Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/cloud-on-k8s) deployments.
   * `ech`: Applies to [Elastic Cloud Hosted](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/elastic-cloud/cloud-hosted) deployments.
   * `ece`: Applies to [Elastic Cloud Enterprise](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/cloud-enterprise) deployments.
+  * `eck`: Applies to [Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/cloud-on-k8s) deployments.
   * `self`: Applies to [self-managed](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/self-managed) deployments.
   * `ess`: Applies to Elasticsearch Service deployments. {applies_to}`product: deprecated`
     :::{note}
     Use `ech` instead.
     :::
-* `serverless`: Applies to [Elastic Cloud Serverless](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/elastic-cloud/serverless).
-  * `security`: Applies to Serverless [security projects](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/security/get-started/create-security-project).
-  * `elasticsearch`: Applies to Serverless [search projects](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/search/serverless-elasticsearch-get-started).
-  * `observability`: Applies to Serverless [observability projects](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/observability/get-started).
 * `product`: Applies to a specific product.
-  * `ecctl`: Applies to [Elastic cloud control](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/ecctl).
-  * `curator`: Applies to [Elasticsearch Curator](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/elasticsearch/curator).
   * `apm_agent_dotnet`: Applies to the [Elastic APM .NET agent](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/apm/agents/dotnet).
   * `apm_agent_go`: Applies to the [Elastic APM Go agent](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/apm/agents/go).
   * `apm_agent_java`: Applies to the [Elastic APM Java agent](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/apm/agents/java).
@@ -25,12 +23,14 @@
   * `apm_agent_python`: Applies to the [Elastic APM Python agent](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/apm/agents/python).
   * `apm_agent_ruby`: Applies to the [Elastic APM Ruby agent](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/apm/agents/ruby).
   * `apm_agent_rum`: Applies to the [APM RUM JavaScript agent](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/apm/agents/rum-js).
-  * `edot_collector`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Collector](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-collector/).
-  * `edot_ios`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry iOS](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/ios/).
-  * `edot_android`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Android](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/android/).
-  * `edot_dotnet`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry .NET](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/dotnet/).
-  * `edot_java`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Java](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/java/).
-  * `edot_node`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Node.js](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/nodejs/).
-  * `edot_php`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry PHP](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/php/).
-  * `edot_python`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Python](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/python/).
-  * `edot_cf_aws`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Cloud Forwarder](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-cloud-forwarder/).
+  * `curator`: Applies to [Elasticsearch Curator](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/elasticsearch/curator) (Curator).
+  * `ecctl`: Applies to [Elastic cloud control](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/ecctl) (ECCTL).
+  * `edot_android`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Android](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/android/) (EDOT Android).
+  * `edot_cf_aws`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Cloud Forwarder](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-cloud-forwarder/) (EDOT Cloud Forwarder).
+  * `edot_collector`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Collector](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-collector/) (EDOT Collector).
+  * `edot_dotnet`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry .NET](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/dotnet/) (EDOT .NET).
+  * `edot_ios`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry iOS](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/ios/) (EDOT iOS).
+  * `edot_java`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Java](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/java/) (EDOT Java).
+  * `edot_node`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Node.js](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/nodejs/) (EDOT Node.js).
+  * `edot_php`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry PHP](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/php/) (EDOT PHP).
+  * `edot_python`: Applies to the [Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry Python](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/opentelemetry/edot-sdks/python/) (EDOT Python).

docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/best-practices.md

@@ -27,7 +27,11 @@ Depending on what you're trying to communicate, you can use the following patter
 
 ## Order of items
 
-**Versions.** Always put the newest version first when listing multiple versions. As a result, the lifecycles should be in order of product development progression, too.
+% TO DO: Open an issue to force the order in the code.
+
+**Versions.** Always put the newest version first when listing multiple versions. As a result, the lifecycles should be in reverse order of product development progression, too.
+
+<image>
 
 % Reference: https://elastic.github.io/docs-builder/versions/#defaults-and-hierarchy
 % Needs work...
@@ -36,6 +40,8 @@ Depending on what you're trying to communicate, you can use the following patter
 * **Deployment types**: Elastic Cloud Serverless, Elastic Cloud Hosted, Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes, Elastic Cloud Enterprise, Self-managed
 * **Monitoring for Java applications**: Elastic Distribution of OpenTelemetry (EDOT) Java, APM Java agent
 
+<image>
+
 ## Placement of badges
 
 ### Headings
@@ -83,7 +89,7 @@ Do **not** put the `applies_to` badge at the beginning or end of the definition
 
 #### If the badge is only relevant to a portion of the definition, follow the appropriate placement guidelines for the elements used in the definition [definition-list-item-part]
 
-This might include labeling just one of multiple paragraphs or one item in an ordered or unordered list. For example, on the ... page, ...
+This might include labeling just one of multiple paragraphs, or one item in an ordered or unordered list. For example, on the [Google Gemini Connector page](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/kibana/connectors-kibana/gemini-action-type#gemini-connector-configuration), the default model is different depending on the deployment type and version of the Elastic Stack. These differences should be called out with their own `applies_to` badges.
 
 ::::{image} ./images/definition-list-portion-correct.png
 :screenshot:
@@ -178,133 +184,3 @@ To specify `applies_to` information for a code block, refer to [](/contribute/cu
 ### Images
 
 To specify `applies_to` information for an image, refer to [](/contribute/cumulative-docs/content-patterns.md#screenshot).
-
-<!-- ### Stepper -->
-
-<!-- ## Scenarios [scenarios]
-
-There are several scenarios you will likely run into at some point when contributing to the docs.
-
-### Feature in beta or technical preview is removed [beta-preview-removed]
-
-If a feature in beta or technical preview is removed without going GA,
-[list both || remove the beta/preview version]
-in the `applies_to` badge.
-
-% TO DO: Copy over example content https://github.com/elastic/kibana/pull/229485/files#r2231843057
-**Example: A beta option was removed one minor after it was introduced**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-### Code block change between versions [code-blocks]
-
-If the content of a code block changes between versions,
-you have a couple options depending on the nature of the change.
-
-#### Content is added or removed [code-blocks-added-removed]
-
-Use code callouts to point out lines that have changed over time.
-
-**Example: One new option is available**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-#### Content is replaced [code-blocks-replaced]
-
-Use a tab for each version that contains a change.
-
-**Example**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-### Adjacent block elements change between versions [adjacent-block-elements]
-
-**Example**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-### Images change between versions [images]
-
-#### Screenshots
-
-Follow these principles to use screenshots in our unversioned documentation system:
-
-* Reduce screenshots when they don’t explicitly add value.
-* When adding a screenshot, determine the minimum viable screenshot and whether it can apply to all relevant versions.
-* Take and maintain screenshots for only the most recent version, with very few exceptions that should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
-* In case of doubt, prioritize serverless.
-
-**Example**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-### UI changes between versions [ui]
-
-**Example**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-### One sentence in a paragraph changes between versions [inline-elements]
-
-**Example**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-### Table columns, rows, or cells change between versions
-
-#### Content is added or removed
-
-**Example**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-::::
-
-#### Content is replaced
-
-**Example**
-
-::::{tab-set}
-:::{tab-item} Visual
-:::
-:::{tab-item} Syntax
-:::
-:::: -->

docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/content-patterns.md

@@ -119,25 +119,47 @@ Sibling pages are a last resort when no other solutions are appropriate.
 **Best practices**:
 
 **Example**:
+* [Cloud Hosted deployment billing dimensions](https://elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/cloud-organization/billing/cloud-hosted-deployment-billing-dimensions)
+* [{{serverless-short}} project billing dimensions](https://elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/cloud-organization/billing/serverless-project-billing-dimensions)
 
 ## Screenshots vary [screenshot]
 
+Sometimes the UI differs between versions, deployment types or other conditions.
+
 ### Solution A: Use tabs [screenshot-tabs]
 
 **When to use tabs**:
+* When the screenshot shows significantly different interfaces or workflows for each product, deployment type, or version.
+* When the screenshot represents a specific, interactive action, like clicking a button or navigating a UI that changes meaningfully between contexts.
 
 **Best practices**:
+* Keep any explanatory text outside the tab unless it's specific to the screenshot inside.
 
 **Example**:
 
+A walkthrough for configuring alerts in Kibana differs between Elastic Stack and Serverless deployments.
+
+<image>
+
 ### Solution B: Add a note [screenshot-note]
 
+In cases where only a small visual detail differs (for example, a button label or icon), it’s often more efficient to add a note rather than creating tabbed screenshots.
+
 **When to use a note**:
+* When the screenshot is mostly consistent, but includes minor visual or behavioral differences.
+* When adding another screenshot would be redundant or distracting.
 
 **Best practices**:
+* Keep notes concise, ideally one sentence.
+* Place the note directly after the screenshot.
+* Use an `applies_to` badge at the start of the note if relevant.
 
 **Example**:
 
+In Serverless, the "Create rule" button is labeled "Add rule."
+
+<image>
+
 ## Multiple adjacent block elements vary [multiple-block]
 
 ### Solution A: Use headings [multiple-block-headings]
@@ -151,11 +173,18 @@ Sibling pages are a last resort when no other solutions are appropriate.
 ### Solution B: Use tabs [multiple-block-tabs]
 
 **When to use tabs**:
+* When the content is structurally similar but differs in detail — for example, slightly different instructions, outputs, or paths.
+* When you want to avoid repeating most of the surrounding content and isolate just the difference.
 
 **Best practices**:
+* Only include content that varies inside the tab — don’t wrap entire pages or unrelated information.
+* Keep tabs short and focused to reduce cognitive load.
+* Label tabs clearly and consistently (e.g., by version or product).
 
 **Example**:
 
+<image>
+
 ## Feature in beta or technical preview is removed [beta-removed]
 
 ### Solution [beta-removed-solution]